6 mesmerizing facts about hypnosis

Hypnosis is growing in popularity as more and more people turn to alternative way of treatment that are less expensive and non-chemically controlled. As an alternative to some issues, hypnosis can and does help many live a better more productive life.

Fact 1, Hypnotic Suggestions. Many people believe that hypnosis is some sort of mind control…that the hypnotist puts you in a state of hypnotic suggestion and you become like a zombie under the their control. This could not be further from the truth. In fact, the hypnotist does not “perform” hypnosis on the client, but instead guides them into hypnotic trance through words, visualization, imagination, and creative thinking on the part of the client. It is not the hypnotist that put you into trance, but yourself. The hypnotist is simply a guide to get you to a state that you have been in before. The suggestions are given to someone in trance, bypassing the critical mind, that part of the mind that tells us truth from lies, fact from fiction. In order for a suggestion to be effective, the critical mind, your mind’s “gatekeeper” must be bypassed. That can be done while in trance.

Fact 2, Hypnotherapy. Some believe that hypnotherapy can “fix just about anything.” Hypnotherapy is used by a trained hypnotherapist or hypnotist to help people with certain areas of need, such as stopping bad habits, dealing with anxiety, fear or phobias. Hypnotherapists trained properly can help with sports improvement, certain weight loss, public speaking, and a vast variety of things. It is not intended to be used as a substitute for medical necessities. For example, a highly overweight person needs to consult a medical doctor before starting a hypnosis weight loss program. Someone suffering from extreme depression or anxiety should consult a therapist first, before trying hypnosis. A good hypnotherapist will insist on a medical referral before starting a method of treatment with a client they see as needing medical or psychological help with, first.

Fact 3, Learning in your sleep. These so-called subliminal learning methods that insist you can learn a language while you sleep, or help some issue while sleeping, are false! There is a brief moment of time, just before you fall asleep, that you are actually in a hypnotic state when learning can be added. However, once you actually fall asleep, you brain changes chemically and your senses are adjusted for sleep, including your hearing. That’s why when you sleep and have a dream of punching someone or running a marathon you don’t physically move your body in the motions of the dream. The chemical change in the brain creates a different state in your mind. When you are asleep, you are not “hearing” the messages passed on in those subliminal recording. It just does not really work like that.

Fact 4, Hypnosis can bring back memories. Although this is partially true, there are many skeptics that believe the memory can also be altered by the mind. You may not remember things exactly as they happened, or the hypnotist could, without their own knowledge, plant a false memory in the subject. This is why the legal system does not allow hypnotized subjects testimony in court. That does not mean that hypnosis can’t help with memory. Many people have lost certain items, keys, rings, family mementos, etc. and been able to retrieve their locations through hypnosis.

Fact 5, Hypnosis and Medical use. Many believe that hypnosis is some sort of alternative medicine and should not be in the mainstream medical community. However, many professional athletes have been able to improve their skills and concentration with hypnosis. Hypnosis has been used for pain control during certain medical procedures and dental work. It has also been used by many to help post-op pain control and healing. The American Psychological Association (APA) endorsed hypnosis as a branch of psychology in 1960. Although there are many aspects of hypnosis that still need further investigation, the AMA gave its approval in 1985 and rescinded that approval in 1987.

Fact 6, Only ill-informed or slow-witted can be hypnotized. This goes against the way hypnosis works. People who have a strong imagination, an active creative mind, and/or are intelligent are actually easier to hypnotize than those with less abilities in creativity and imagination. The reason is simple. Hypnosis requires the client to imagine, visualize, or picture in their mind various images, sounds, scents. Without a creative mind, this is hard to do. Those who can tap into their creativity easily can help themselves go into the state faster, deeper, and longer.

Share this article

Doug Walker is a Consulting Hypnotist practicing in the Austin area. He is a graduate from the Hypnosis Motivation Institute (HMI) in Tarzana CA, has a MS from Abilene Christian University and BBA from Angelo State University. He has served in the military, been a teacher, and radio On-Air Talent. His knowledge of hypnosis and its many uses is extensive. He is also a member in good standing of the American Association of Professional Hypnotherapist. You can contact Doug at dwalk15@gmail.com.